This study evaluated the in vitro cultivation of pineapple somaclones under high concentrations of NaCl. Propagules of pineapple were cultivated in presence of different NaCl concentrations (0, 12.5, 25 and 50 mM), then passed through two subcultivations in absence of NaCl, and finally submitted to a second in vitro cultivation under 0 and 100 mM concentrations of NaCl. Interactions between the concentrations of both treatment's periods were not observed. Hence, propagules proceeding from higher concentrations treatments did not show better performance during the second period. A negative response was observed for almost all studied variables by propagules grown in 100 mM NaCl in the second treatment period. At the end of the experimental period, some families cultivated in 100 mM NaCl were selected. These families came equally from the four concentrations of the first treatment period with NaCl. Hence, the concentrations of NaCl applied in the first treatment period did not present significant influence on development of propagules during the second in vitro cultivation period under saline conditions.
Ananas comosus; salt stress; growth; somaclonal variation
